Event Details

The Rural Resource Coalition (RRC) 2024 Annual Meeting will be on Wednesday, December 4 at Brookland Banquet & Conference Center in West Columbia, SC.


This year's meeting will focus on the theme "Energizing Rural SC: Seizing New Funding Opportunities to Build a Green Future," and will provide chance for leaders from conservation, farming, forestry, tourism, and community economic development to meet, reconnect, and discover new ways to work together. Key highlights will include:


  • Funding Announcements: Introduction of new funding opportunities aimed at supporting clean energy projects in rural areas.
  • Partnerships: Emphasis on creating and strengthening networks to implement energy projects effectively.
  • Community Impact: Focus on how these initiatives can improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy systems in rural communities.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals, community leaders, and potential partners to collaborate on future green initiatives.


Join us to learn from robust panel discussions and rural South Carolina leaders who will discuss how rural communities can harness new strategies and funding opportunities to drive green initiatives, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable development in South Carolina's rural communities. A plated lunch will be served.


Dec 4, 2024

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (EST)

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Brookland Banquet & Conference Center
1066 Sunset Boulevard
West Columbia, South Carolina
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Agenda

  • 10:00 AM - 10:15 AMWelcoming Remarks
    10:15 AM - 10:30 AMCultural Entertainment
    10:30 AM - 10:35 AMAgriculture Sector Video
    10:35 AM - 11:50 AMPanel: Rural Money Matters
    Rural communities are often overlooked when making capital investments. South Carolina is 80% rural from Pickens to Allendale. Rural investments matter to local governments, main streets and communities. This panel discusses the state of rural funding in South Carolina and the new green capital funding opportunity for rural communities. The audience will hear how to access financial capital for community economic development projects. Attendees will also learn about South Carolina Green Bank. Participating audiences from rural communities are invited to share their projects with panelists during the networking session.

    Chantelle Broughton

    Business Development Coordinator at South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development

    Sarah Katherine Catalano

    Community Engagement Manager at Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

    Vince Pace

    Manager of Business Banking at First Citizens Bank

    Jennifer Weiss

    Co-Director of North Carolina Clean Energy Fund

    Kelly Harvey

    Community Development Loan Officer at CLIMB Fund

    11:50 AM - 1:30 PMNetworking with Exhibitors & Lunch
    1:30 PM - 1:35 PMForestry Sector Video
    1:35 PM - 2:50 PMPanel: Sustainable Energy Opportunities in South Carolina
    Today, the South has the lowest electric rates in the contiguous United States, but the highest residential bills. South Carolinian’s low-wealth communities are energy burdened. Households’ energy expenses, exceedingly over 30% of income, are considered energy burdened. South Carolina’s rural and urban underserved marginalized communities deserve renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements to sustain their lives and livelihoods against extreme weather conditions and to reduce energy consumption. Thus, alternative solutions and policies are necessary to address the challenges of energy consumption, climate change and the economics that impact rural communities. The panel of practitioners, government agency, public policy advocate and utility provider discuss South Carolina renewable energy future, current legislative energy policy and the “Solar for All” impact on rural communities. Attendees will learn about funding to build resilient communities and how they can advocate for clean energy policy.

    John Brooker

    Energy Policy President at Conservation Voters of South Carolina

    Bryan Cordell

    Executive Director of Sustainability Institute SC

    Zakiya Esper

    Coalition Lobbyist at South Carolina Energy Justice Coalition

    Pamela Bryant

    VP/Lead Specialist Community Relations - SC at Wells Fargo

    2:50 PM - 3:00 PMClosing Remarks

Speakers

  • John Brooker (Energy Policy President at Conservation Voters of South Carolina)

    John Brooker

    Energy Policy President at Conservation Voters of South Carolina

  • Chantelle Broughton (Business Development Coordinator at South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development)

    Chantelle Broughton

    Business Development Coordinator at South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development

  • Pamela Bryant (VP/Lead Specialist Community Relations - SC at Wells Fargo)

    Pamela Bryant

    VP/Lead Specialist Community Relations - SC at Wells Fargo

  • Sarah Katherine Catalano (Community Engagement Manager at Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina)

    Sarah Katherine Catalano

    Community Engagement Manager at Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

  • Bryan Cordell (Executive Director of Sustainability Institute SC)

    Bryan Cordell

    Executive Director of Sustainability Institute SC

  • Zakiya Esper (Coalition Lobbyist at South Carolina Energy Justice Coalition)

    Zakiya Esper

    Coalition Lobbyist at South Carolina Energy Justice Coalition

  • Kelly Harvey (Community Development Loan Officer at CLIMB Fund)

    Kelly Harvey

    Community Development Loan Officer at CLIMB Fund

  • Vince Pace (Manager of Business Banking at First Citizens Bank)

    Vince Pace

    Manager of Business Banking at First Citizens Bank

  • Jennifer Weiss (Co-Director of North Carolina Clean Energy Fund)

    Jennifer Weiss

    Co-Director of North Carolina Clean Energy Fund

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